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Accolades for the Williamsburg Farmers Market Grow during its 10th Anniversary

The Williamsburg Farmers Market celebrated its 10th season with the Fresh Film Festival during Arts Month, a visit from the Commissioner of Agriculture Matt Lohr and a Chef’s Cookoff.

Honors for the market included: ‘Virginia’s Favorite Market’ by the American Farmland Trust’s annual contest, the ‘Best Farmers Market – East’ by Virginia Living magazine, and a silver award from Hampton Roads Magazine’s ‘Best of Hampton Roads’ Farmers Markets category.

‘It’s been a busy anniversary year, celebrating the market’s achievements and encouraging conversation about where our food comes from, and why it matters. We are proud to be recognized for the high standard we set for our market,’ said anniversary committee chair and Williamsburg assistant city manager Jodi Miller.

More than 30,000 customers visited the market, contributing to the nearly $1 million in sales in 2012. The market’s vendors are well known to customers as well as to local chefs who shop the market for fresh products to include on their restaurant menus and at three local ‘Farm to Table’ dinners this year. Four regional wineries joined the market for the first time this year.

‘We are delighted to be recognized as a popular and high quality market. In the past 10 years, this producer-only market has grown remarkably, sometimes with more than 40 vendors on a Saturday,’ said Marty Wilson, Williamsburg Farmers Market board president and owner of The Carousel Children’s Clothier.

Market shoppers look forward to visiting the holiday markets, scheduled for Nov. 17 and 24 and Dec. 8. The markets run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and feature holiday decorations and seasonal produce, as well as meats, honey, soaps and cheeses available year round.

In 2012, the market relied on support for music, chef demonstrations and special projects from Riverside Health System, Towne Bank, Cullom Eye Center, Farm Credit Bureau and Howell Creative Group as well as its Founding Sponsors, The City of Williamsburg, Colonial Williamsburg and Merchants Square Association.

For a complete list of vendors and events, visit www.williamsburgfarmersmarket.com or contact (757) 259-3768 or loliver@williamsburgva.gov.